How Do You Solve the 1D Heat Equation with Trigonometric Initial Conditions?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the 1D heat equation, represented by the equation u_t = u_xx, with boundary conditions u(0,t) = u(1,t) = 0 and initial conditions u(x,0) = sin(πx) - sin(3πx). The proposed solution takes the form u(x,t) = Σ (from n=1 to ∞) {a_n * sin(nπx) * exp(-n²π²t)}. A critical point raised is the calculation of coefficients a_n, which are found to be zero for all n, leading to confusion about the initial condition's representation as a sine series and the relationship between coefficients a_n and b_n.

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problem

u_t=u_xx, x is in [0,1], t>0

with
u(0,t)=u(1,t)=0, t>0
u(x,0)=sin(pi*x)-sin(3*pi*x), x is in (0,1)


i think its solution is of the form

u(x,t)=sigma(n=1 to infinity){a_n*sin(n*pi*x)*exp(-n^2*pi^2*t)

where a_n=2*integral(0 to 1){ (sin(pi*x)-sin(3*pi*x)) * sin(n*pi*x) }

but i have a_n = 0, for all n..

i don't know where is my mistake..
 
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Can you write your initial condition as a sin series?

[itex]u(x,0)=\sum b_n sin(n \pi x)[/itex]

How does this compare to your sin series for

[itex]u(x,t)[/itex]

Can you relate [itex]a_n[/itex] to [itex]b_n[/itex]?
 

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